Suction-dre



. @17,8%9. vPatented lan. |7, 1.899. F. W. KRGH.

sucTmN BREWING.

(Application led Jau. 28, 1898.)

(No Model.)

\ iNIrn TATES FERDINAND W. rincer-I, or SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 617,899, dated January 17, 1899.

Application filed January 28,1898. Serial No. 668,273. (No modelf) Y To a/ZZ whom it rita-y conoci-1L;

Be it known that l, FERDINAND W. KROGH, a citizen of the United States, residing at` San Francisco, county of San Francisco, and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Suction-Dredging;

' and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had 'to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this speciiication.

My invention relates to what is called suction-dredging machinery, whereby silt or spoil is raised from the bottom of rivers, channels, harbors, or any subaqueous source by means of pumps, and relates especially to `means. of loosening and disintegrating the material to be raised or removed, also applicable to the exploitation and procuration orf gold or other metals from subaqueous sources;

One of the principal objects Aof raising subaqueous material by this means, aside from the deepening of channels, is the exploitation and recovery of gold or other valuable Inetals'whieh may be distributed therein.

My improvements consist in providing a flexible or jointed suction-pipe capable of an angular sweep in any direction, having a vertical terminus jointed thereto and a cuttingcylinder' having cutting or disintegrating means on its lower margin sleeved upon said terminus, capable of motion up and down thereon, with means for reciprocating said cylinder up and down, and means for sustaining said suction-pipe and said cylinder,

and specific details appertaining to such apparatus. A

The principal objects of my invention are, iii-st, to provide in a vertical direction andby gravity the force required to disintegrate the material, so as to avoid disturbing strains laterally or horizontally on the pontoon or barge on which the machinery is mounted; second, to out oil or slice down the' spoil in the plane of movement, so as to push it into the suction-pipe, thereby securing direct and free entrance; third, to provide an enteringorifice or intake of the smallest possible area and a consequently high velocity of inilow where the spoil enters the suction -pipe; fourth, to provide spoil-.gathering mechanism that willoperate as nearly as possible independent ot' lthe pontoon or barge on which the machinery is supported, and thus avoid adjustment of .the pontoon or barge as an element in the process of suction-dredging; fifth, to provide disintegratin g apparatus that will not involve running machinery, bearings, or other perishable parts below the surface of the water and exposedto destructive wear from sand or grit.

To these ends I provide machineryand apparatus as shown in the drawing, 'Which'represents in side elevation the main elements and parts of a suction-dredging plant or-apparatus arranged and operating according to my invention.

The machinery isall mounted 0n a barge or pontoon 1, that can be o the required stability.

2 is the dredging-pump, of the centrifugal style, driven by means of a belt 3 from an engine or any other suitable motive power at i.

5 is the suction-pipe, pivoted at 6, 7, and 8 topermit its movement in all planes and to swing throughout any required are, as the nature of the work may demand.

0 is the discharge-pipe,tl1at may lead to any place of deposit for the spoil passingthrough the pump il.

The suction-pipe 'is sustained by means of the derrick 10, swinging boom 1l, and a chain or rope l2, extending from the top of the vertical section of the pipe over pulleys itt-13 and 14 to a drum-winch 15, so the suction-pipe can bc raised or lowered as `the depth of the water and position of the spoil may demand, an extreme vertical position being indicated by dotted lines at 1U.

Around the bottom and sliding on the vertical terminus of the suction-pipe 5 .is a reciprocating cutting or disintegrating cylinderlthsuspended by a branched rope or chain 18, that extends over pulleys at 13 1l and aregund a pulley or pulleys 19 and then t a dri'im-wineh 20. The pulley or pulleys 19 are pla'ced in the bight of the chain orI rope 18 anti are mounted on the ends of a vibrating beam 21. lhis beam El is pivoted at 20 and is operated by a cam 225, that bears on the rollers 2l. lhe camshaft 25 is driven by a belt 2G i rom an engine or other motive power at at some predetermined rate of speed to suitthe weight of the cutting-eylimler l'and any term having ICO . moving on thel outer or lower end of the suction-pipe, a rope or chain to suspend and admachinery, a pump just the outting-oylinder,` and reciprocating mechanism acting in the bi'ght ofthe suspending rope or chain by means of which the cylinder is given a'reciprocal movement independent of its vertical adj ustmnt and in respect to the suction-pipe on which it moves, substantially as specified.

These features' I- believe to be novel and useful and ask that Letters Patent be granted therefor.

FERDINAND w. KRoen. Witnesses:

H. SANDnRsoN," K. LooKWooD NEVINS. 

